De Profil: ‘Le Concert’

I don’t ordinarily feature films in the ‘De Profil’ section on THM, but I figured this is a grand exception. As I walked past the Aneglika today in Manhattan, I saw a film poster for “The Concert” starring a wonderful French actress named Melanie Laurent. I decided to check it out, and was blown away by this amazing, little film that came out of nowhere!

“Le Concert” is about Russian conductor who is demoted to janitor under the Communist Party for his support of Jewish musicians. Years later, he intercepts an invitation from the Bolshoi Orchestra to play in Paris and uses the opportunity to reassemble his old orchestra-30 years prior- and finish the concert that was interrupted by the Communist authorities all those years before.

A classic triumph of the underdog tale– beautiful classical music and incredible acting. After the finale, I was reduced to what I like to call- ‘feel good tears’.

I must say this a gem, and completely unexpected. I highly reccomend you to see it, if you are in the area. You won’t leave dissapointed.